Karate glove

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to protective gloves useful in the art of karate, etc. The glove comprises a tough outer casing with resilient foam means therein. Various embodiments of the glove are disclosed which are adapted to protect the hand of the wearer, and also the wrist and a portion of the arm. The glove is detachably retained on the hand by various types of strap means.

United States Patent [191 Rhee [ 5] Dec. 24, 1974 KARATE GLOVE [76] Inventor: Jhoon G00 Rhee, 2525 No,

Ridgeview Rd., Arlington, Va. 22207 [22] Filed: Aug. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 393,034

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 252,054, May 10,

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 2/18, 2/161 A [51] Int. Cl A41d 13/08 [58] Field of Search 2/18, 19, 20, 21, 161 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1910 Maynard 2/18 11/1951 Broderick 2,907,047 10/1959 Steinberg 2/161 3,141,173 7/1964 Jackson et al. v 2/161 3,217,332 11/1965 Gross 2/16 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 719,956 12/1954 Great Britain 2/18 Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Millen, Raptes & White [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to protective gloves useful in the art of karate, etc. The glove comprises a tough outer casing with resilient foam means therein. Various embodiments of the glove are disclosed which are adapted to protect the hand of the wearer, and also the wrist and a portion of the arm. The glove is detachably retained on the hand by various types of strap means.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED DEC 2 4 I974 sum 1 or g PMENIEUBEW 3,855,633

saw u I g KARATE GLOVE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 252,054 filed May 10, 1972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a protective glove adapted to be worn on the hand in the arts and sports of karate, kong fu, boxing, etc. The art of karate, in particular, is a method developed in Japan for defending oneself without the use of weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attackers body with the hands, elbows, knees, or feet. During training in the art and in organized competition, the use of the hands can become badly bruised from extensive use of the palm, back and sides of the hands. The present invention provides a novel protective glove adapted to prevent injury to the hand and to sensitive areas of the body of other persons engaging in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a novel protective glove for use in karate sports and the like, which is designed to protect the hand of the wearer and which can be easily slipped on or off the wearers hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel protective glove of simplified construction, relatively inexpensive and which will obviate injuries to the hand of the wearer and to the body of other persons while engaging in the various sports mentioned.

Generally, the protective glove comprises a resilient material having a tough, outer plastic coating which is shaped and adapted to generally cover the fingers, side and back on the hand. In various modifications of the glove, it is adapted to also cover the wrist and a portion of the arm. In addition, one modification is adapted to cover the entire hand. The glove is designed to allow flexibility in the use of the fingers and thumb to permit use of the hand as a weapon in the sport to deliver various types of chops and blows. The glove is detachably secured to the hand by various strap means. The glove is designed to permit wearing thereof on either the left or right hand.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments of the protective glove taken in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the novel glove of the invention wherein the glove covers the fingers and back of the hand (shown in phantom) and also extends over the wrist and a portion of the arm of the wearer;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the glove shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the novel glove of the invention wherein the glove covers the fingers and back of the hand (shown in phantom) and also encircles the wrist of the wearer;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the glove shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the novel glove of the invention wherein the glove covers the entire hand and wrist of the wearer;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the glove shown in FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a fourth embodiment of the novel glove of the invention wherein the glove is designed to cover only fingers and back of the hand of the wearer.

The embodiment of the protective glove of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a device generally indicated by the numeral 10. The glove is formed from a resilient material 11, such as a plastic or rubber foam. An outer smooth surface coating 12 covers the foam material. The coating 12 can be soft pliable material, or the like. Preferably, the coating 12 is a plastic material which can be heated during molding of the foam material to produce a fused coating on the foam. Alternatively, the surface coating 12 can be formed by dipping or applying a coating of a suitable plastic material. Although a plastic coating is preferred, it is within the concept of this invention that a fabric material, or the like, can be used as a cover for the resilient material. The coating or cover 11 provides a continuous, flexible, tough casing which prevents tearing of the foam during use.

Glove 10 comprises a thickened generally flat front end portion 13 provided with holes 14 and 15, through which a strap 16 is looped. The glove extends around the tips and back of the fingers, over and around a portion of the wrist, and also a portion of the arm of the wearer. The back portion 21 is open to permit the arm to extend therethrough. A strap 17 is adapted to encircle the wrist portion of the glove and can be threaded and retained thereon through holes such as 18 and 18a. The strap 17 can be detachable and adjustable by the use of a buckle 19. Alternatively, the strap 17 can comprise velcro material (not shown) or merely an elastic strap for the purpose of retaining and adjusting the glove on the hand at the wrist portion. A plurality of holes 20 are provided for ventilation purposes. The glove is worn as shown in FIG. 1 and the fingers are inserted under strap 16 to retain the front end of the glove on the hand. Strap 17 is adjusted around the wrist of the wearer to retain the rear portion of the glove. Glove l0 protects the fingers, the back of the hand, a portion of the wrist, and a portion of the arm, while permitting flexible use of the fingers as a unit in delivering the various chops and blows used in the karate art with either edges of the glove or with the back, and also providing protection while fending off blows by an opponent.

The embodiment of the glove shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates a protective glove adapted to protect the fingers, back of the hand, and the entire wrist of the wearer. The inner wrist is particularly vulnerable to injuries, such as sprains, during karate sessions and this embodiment is designed to prevent such injuries.

The glove 30 is similar in construction to glove 10 and comprises a thickened generally flat end portion 31 comprising holes 31a and 31b through which a strap 32 is looped. The glove extends around the tip and back of the fingers and around the wrist. The wrist portion 33 entirely surrounds the wrist. The back portion 36 of the glove is open to permit the hand to be inserted therethrough. The bottom 34 of the glove is open from the front portion 31 to rear portion 33. A plurality of holes 35 are provided throughout the surface of the glove for ventilation purposes. Glove 30 is retained on the hand of the wearer by the encircling rear portion 33 around the wrist and by having the fingers inserted under strap 32.

The embodiments and 30 of the glove, being open at the bottom, permit the wearer to open the hand during sparring and karate combat to enable the grasping of an opponent with the hand, thus giving greater flexibility in the use of the gloves.

The embodiment of the glove, 40, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar in construction as glove 30 with the exception there is no bottom opening 34, the bottom area being entirely enclosed. Glove 40 is designed to permit a greater variety of chops and blows including slapping with the protected palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand of the wearer is inserted into the enclosed inner portion 41 through the open back portion 36. Again the fingers grasp the strap 32 to retain the front portion of the glove on the hand, although the glove can easily be retained on the hand because it encircles the hand.

The embodiment of the glove, 80, shown in FIG. 7 and 8 similar in construction to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. Glove 80 extends around the tips of the finger, the back of the hand and only to the wrist of the wearer providing protection to the back of the hand as well as the fingers. A thickened end portion 81 of the glove is provided with a strap 82, which extends through holes 83 and 84 provided in the end portion 81, through which the fingers are inserted. An elastic strap 85, or the like, is also provided, which passes through holes such as 86, 87 and 88, and is adapted to pass over the back part of the palm. The arrangement of straps provides great flexibility in the use of the fingers during the practice of the karate art and provides a positive grip on the glove by the fingers.

in use, the various gloves, as worn on the hand, permit the fingers of the hand to be extended and held together to permit karate chops with either edge of the glove or with the back, and in the case of glove 40, with the front, while protecting the wearers hand during the practice of the karate art while delivering blows. With the thickened front portion of the glove, protection is provided for fending off blows by an opponent to the wearers hand, particularly when a blow is struck with the hand as a fist, such as in boxing. Thus, the construction of the glove permits the hand to be closed or clenched as a fist permitting the wearer to strike a blow with his fist as in boxing. In this manner, the knuckles and fingers are also protected. The embodiments of the gloves illustrated permit wearing of the glove on either the left or right hand, and thereby one glove can be constructed to be worn by left and right handed persons.

Although the glove embodiments have been particularly described for use in the art of karate, it is also contemplated that the glove can be worn by contestants in many types of sports such as boxing, etc., wherein it is not intended to physically injure the contestants, and wherein the injury to the hand, wrist and arm is prevented. The various embodiments of the glove which have an open bottom can also be used in the sport of hockey. Thus, the hockey stick can be held by the hand of the wearer through the bottom opening of the glove, while at the same time, the back portion of the hand, wrist, and even portions of the arm can be protected from injury.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. I

What is claimed is:

1. A protective glove for use in the art of karate and the like comprising casing means, resilient foam means disposed within said casing means, said glove adapted to fit over the back of the hand and fingers of the wearer to protect the hand from injury, said glove having a thickened front end portion, strap means disposed in said front end portion and means extending said strap means through said forward part of said glove, whereby the fingers of the wearer can grasp said strap and maintain said front portion in close contact with the fingers, and retaining means for retaining the rear end portion of said glove on the rearward portion of the hand.

2. The glove of claim 1 wherein a plurality of holes are provided in said glove for ventilation purposes.

3. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing is adapted to also cover the wrist.

4. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing is adapted to cover the wrist and arm.

5. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing comprises a molded plastic material fused to said foam means.

6. The glove of claim 1 wherein said strap means are elastic.

7. The glove of claim 1 wherein said retaining means in the rear portion of said glove comprises second strap means.

8. The glove of claim 1 wherein said rear end portion of said glove casing is tubular and is adapted to encircle the wrist.

9. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing completely covers the hand of the wearer. 

1. A protective glove for use in the art of karate and the like comprising casing means, resilient foam means disposed within said casing means, said glove adapted to fit over the back of the hand and fingers of the wearer to protect the hand from injury, said glove having a thickened front end portion, strap means disposed in said front end portion and means extending said strap means through said forward part of said glove, whereby the fingers of the wearer can grasp said strap and maintain said front portion in close contact with the fingers, and retaining means for retaining the rear end portion of said glove on the rearward portion of the hand.
 2. The glove of claim 1 wherein a plurality of holes are provided in said glove for ventilation pUrposes.
 3. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing is adapted to also cover the wrist.
 4. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing is adapted to cover the wrist and arm.
 5. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing comprises a molded plastic material fused to said foam means.
 6. The glove of claim 1 wherein said strap means are elastic.
 7. The glove of claim 1 wherein said retaining means in the rear portion of said glove comprises second strap means.
 8. The glove of claim 1 wherein said rear end portion of said glove casing is tubular and is adapted to encircle the wrist.
 9. The glove of claim 1 wherein said casing completely covers the hand of the wearer. 